"It would be unfair to our customers not to do that," said CTMA chairman John Mastillo. "This is simply a business decision."

He said the first part of the meeting to be held at the township building will be public so the purpose of the meeting can be explained. The second will be executive session so negotiations can begin if the authority so desires.

"We'd like to lower our rates to our customers and that's a good possibility," said Mastillo. "That's what we're trying to do is lower our customer rates."

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He said there are advantages to purchasing water, such as avoiding future problems with the Department of Environmental Protection. The authority is currently involved in pending litigation stemming from several February violations.

Mastillo said nothing is set in stone at this time.

"They haven't made an offer to us yet," he said. "We don't know what they have to offer."

The GJWA has recently offered a rate of 97 cents to the Somerset County Commissioners plus an 11 cent pumping fee.

"That looked mighty inviting," said Mastillo.

The commissioners are in the midst of a $12.9 million project to build a treatment facility and pipeline from the Quemahoning Reservoir. They have invited Conemaugh Township to participate, with a proposed rate of $2.25 per thousand. That rate could drop based on the number of participants.

"It's never really been in the picture," said Mastillo.

He said the commissioners have mainly been approaching people who need water.

"We don't need water from Somerset County," he said. "We can produce water cheaper than Somerset County."

Mastillo said the CTMA is already purchasing 100,000 gallons of water per day from Greater Johnstown at a lesser rate.

"If it's a business deal they are not even in the ballpark," he said.

Somerset County Commissioner Jimmy Marker said Wednesday night that he isn't disappointed in that choice.

"I hope that the board does the best thing for Conemaugh Township and Somerset County," he said. "We will still talk with them and hope they come to a suitable agreement."

But licensed plant operator Robert Pilot has his reservations about the township purchasing water from Greater Johnstown. A former CTMA operator, he believes the system has its advantages and could be cost effective.

"The type of treatment they use here is slow sand, essentially there are no moving parts," he said. "Treatment is minimal. No moving parts, no huge pumps… Slow sand filter has to be one of the most economical ways."

He said sand filtration system works simply.

"It filters through naturally. The only thing that is added is chlorine, which is mandated by the state for disinfection."

He said an additional chemical for corrosion is also added sometimes.

Pilot said purchasing water from Greater Johnstown would also require major pumping to get it throughout the system.

"We have gone through that route before. It won't run uphill itself," he said.

In other business:

The board approved $1,576 in paving costs to repair several sinking areas in Benson Borough. LTM Paving is responsible for the work.

It also adopted a motion requiring board members to be present through the entire meeting to be paid if there are still items to vote on later.

The vote split with Sam Mazzarese, Mastillo and George Knapp voting in favor of it. Authority member Ron Cowan voted against it.